Jim’s love of hunting and fishing was great. His obituary says he started lobster fishing at the age of 15 and it also describes him as an avid woodsman. His giant love for family and fiends, meanwhile, has placed a hole in the hearts of the community.

“For me, it’s a hard concept that my brother is no longer with us,” Buchanan says. “Nobody ever wants to get that phone call.”

He says the family are all still in shock over the loss of Jim.

“Jim was a great man,” he says.

Jim Buchanan with his granddaughter.

SUPPORTING THE FAMILY

Several fundraisers have been started to help support the family and cover funeral costs. Buchanan’s funeral is being held Friday, Jan. 13.

Julie Young began a GoFundMe page, as well as a memorial fund at the Scotia Bank that people can contribute to.

“We wanted to help the family,” says Young. “This community sticks together and helps each other out as much as possible.”

She described Jim as one of a kind.

“His home was always full,” she says. “He took care of everyone.”

Young says people in the community have been bringing gift certificates and gas cards to help the family.

He leaves behind three children and his wife Lisa of 25 years.

All Polished Up in Shelburne also wants to help the family. It has decided to donate $1 from every service performed at the business to go to the family. The business is asking customers to match the donation. Parts and Pieces Salvage has also said it will match the total donations at the end of two weeks.

INVESTIGATION

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) deployed a team of investigators to Shelburne to gather information and assess the circumstances of this incident.

“We will gather as much information as we can and talk with witnesses and look at the boat,” explains Pierre Murray with the TSB.

He says in the coming weeks they would then analyze the data to determine if the TSB needs to do an in-depth investigation.

“Sometimes bad things happen and there isn’t much we can do,” he says, however there are times when the TSB can make recommendations to advance safety. But these changes and recommendations don’t always come quickly. Investigations can be complicated and time consuming.

If there is reason for a full-length investigation, Murray says it could take up to a year-and-a-half to complete. But he says it is worth the effort.

“We do this so it won’t happen again,” says Murray. “We make changes to make things safer.”